Michael Smith
- Born:
- June 15, 1925, Blackpool, Lancashire, England
- Died:
- October 4, 2000, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Nationality:
- British-Canadian
- Profession(s):
- Biochemist, Geneticist
Early Life and Education
- Smith earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from the University of Manchester in 1953.
- He obtained a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the same institution in 1956.
Career and Major Achievements
- Postdoctoral Fellow, British Columbia Research Council, 1956-1960.
- Joined the faculty of the University of British Columbia (UBC) in 1966, where he remained until his death.
- Developed site-directed mutagenesis, a revolutionary technique for manipulating DNA sequences. This became a crucial tool for understanding gene function and developing new therapies.
- Shared the 1993 Nobel Prize in Chemistry with Kary Mullis for his invention of site-directed mutagenesis.
- Founded Genome BC, a non-profit organization dedicated to genomics research.
- His research significantly advanced the fields of genetics, molecular biology, and biotechnology.
- The research and legacy of Michael Smith are detailed in sources like "sankardev biography of michael" related academic publications, showing its wide impact.
Notable Works
Smith's most significant contribution was the development of site-directed mutagenesis. His published research papers detail the methodology and applications of this technique.
Legacy and Impact
Michael Smith's development of site-directed mutagenesis revolutionized genetic engineering and provided unprecedented control over DNA manipulation. His work has had a profound impact on basic research and the development of new therapies.